As we stand at the threshold of a new year, it’s natural to reflect on the past and contemplate the future. For many, this time brings a mix of hope and uncertainty. In such moments, it’s crucial to ensure we have a solid foundation to stand upon when everything around us seems to shake.
For Christians, this foundation is built upon four essential pillars: prayer, relationship with God, community, and Scripture. Today, let’s focus on the transformative power of God’s Word and its ability to equip us for the journey ahead.
Imagine for a moment that an angel appeared to you tonight, informing you that God Himself would speak to you tomorrow evening at a specific location. How would you respond? Undoubtedly, you’d do everything in your power to be there, hanging on every word. Yet, remarkably, we have God’s Word readily available to us in the form of the Bible. So why don’t we approach it with the same eagerness and reverence?
The answer lies in what we truly believe about Scripture. We often profess that the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit, capable of transforming our lives and speaking directly to our circumstances. But do our actions align with these beliefs? Our behaviour always stems from our deepest convictions, so we must ask ourselves: Do we genuinely believe in the power of God’s Word, or are we simply paying lip service to an expected ideal?
Psalm 119 beautifully captures the heart of someone who truly delights in God’s Word:
“Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!
Psalm 119
With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.
In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”
Here we see a person who doesn’t need to force themselves to engage with Scripture. They understand the profound impact it can have on their life and eagerly anticipate its teachings.
It’s important to note that while we revere the Bible, we don’t worship it. The Bible is not God; rather, it leads us to God. It’s inspired by Him and serves as our primary source for understanding Jesus’ teachings, especially now that we no longer have living apostles among us.
The purpose of Scripture in our lives is multifaceted. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Tim 2:16-17
God’s Word has the power to make us complete, equip us for good works, and train us in righteousness. It’s alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, capable of discerning the thoughts and intentions of our hearts.
When we apply Scripture to our lives, it can renew our souls, grant us wisdom, bring joy to our hearts, and illuminate our path. As Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” In a world filled with deception and manipulation, the Bible serves as our compass, helping us discern truth from lies.
Jesus Himself exemplified the importance of knowing Scripture. When tempted in the wilderness, He responded to Satan’s lies by quoting God’s Word from memory. He didn’t just know a few favourite passages; He was thoroughly versed in the law, the prophets, and the Psalms. While we may not memorize the entire Bible, we can follow Jesus’ example by immersing ourselves in Scripture and allowing it to shape our thoughts and actions.
To truly benefit from God’s Word, here are some practical tips:
- Invest in a good Bible translation that you can understand. Avoid paraphrases and seek recommendations from those well-versed in Scripture.
- Read the Bible in context. It’s a book with a beginning, middle, and end, not a random collection of inspirational quotes. Choose a book and read it from start to finish to grasp its full meaning.
- Don’t shy away from difficult passages or books. Every part of Scripture has something valuable to teach us about God’s character and His plans for humanity.
- Trust in the long-term fruits of engaging with God’s Word. Like a fruit tree that needs time to produce, consistent Bible reading may not show immediate results, but it will undoubtedly bear fruit in due season.
- Most importantly, be doers of the Word, not just hearers. As James 1:22-25 exhorts us:
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”
James 1:22-25
The key to allowing God’s Word to achieve its purpose in our lives is to put into practice what we learn. We may not be perfect in our application, but we must strive to live out the truths we discover. Often, God reveals new insights through Scripture only after we’ve applied what He’s already shown us.
As we embark on this new year, let’s commit to deepening our engagement with God’s Word. Let’s approach the Bible not as a duty or a chore, but as an opportunity to hear from God Himself. May we cultivate a hunger for Scripture that rivals our enthusiasm for hearing God’s audible voice.
Remember, the Bible on your shelf has the power to transform your life, teach you about God, draw you closer to Him, equip you for good works, and deepen your faith. Don’t let it gather dust. Instead, let it be your daily bread, nourishing your soul and guiding your path.
As you open God’s Word, may you echo the psalmist’s prayer: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” (Psalm 119:18). And may the transformative power of Scripture be evident in your life, bringing glory to God and blessing to those around you.
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